Plumeria islander

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In the coastal areas of the Lesser Antilles, as well as on the coast of Puerto Rico, a plant grows that has won the recognition of flower growers due to its large and fragrant flowers. As a houseplant, it is almost never used, since it reaches a height of more than two meters and requires "tropical" conditions of detention.

The genus includes only a dozen species. The most famous of them is red plumeria. It has large, very elongated oval leaves with a pronounced texture. Large apical inflorescences consist of strongly smelling flowers, each of which reaches five centimeters in diameter. The main color shades of the flowers are: cream-white with a yellow center, yellow, red and multicolor.

© Maciej Soltynski

An interesting feature is the flowers with yellow and red shades. The color intensity directly depends on the air temperature and the age of the plant. The warmer, the more they are colored. And the older the plant, the paler the color of its flowers.

The flowering period lasts from June to September. After flowering, quite large, beautiful, but inedible fruits are formed.

When growing plumeria in greenhouses or winter gardens, the main factors for successful breeding are stable ambient temperature (+ 20 ... + 22 degrees Celsius) and high humidity. In this case, watering should be moderate, especially in the "winter" period. Plumeria necessarily need direct sunlight: in the shade, the plant dies.

Once every two weeks, it will be necessary to fertilize with liquid mineral fertilizers. In order for the plant to bloom well, it must be replanted every year in a new soil, consisting of turf and leafy soil, humus, peat and sand. Plumeria is propagated in spring by means of cuttings rooted at a soil temperature of +25 degrees Celsius. Reproduction by seeds is possible, but it is almost never used.

When caring for a plant, it should be remembered that all its parts are poisonous.